Chicken Lentil Soup With Kale

Healthy, Hearty soup. The aroma while it's cooking is wonderful. I found this in a magazine, made a few changes. You'll love this soup.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  cup  chopped onion
• 1  cup  coarsely chopped carrot
• 2 -4  garlic cloves, minced
• 6  cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1  tablespoon  snipped fresh basil or 1  teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1 -2  bay leaf
• 4  cups  coarsely chopped kale
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1⁄2 cups  cooked chicken breasts, cubed
• 1  medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1⁄2 cup dry lentils

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add onion, carrot, and garlic. Cook, covered, for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are nearly tender, stirring occasionally.
2. Add broth, bay leaves and, if using, dried basil to vegetable mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in kale, lentils, salt and black pepper. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered 10 minutes.
4. Stir in chicken,tomato, and , if using, fresh basil. Simmer, covered, for 15-20 min more or until kale and lentils are tender.
5. Remove bay leaves before serving.